​Partnership 81

Project Overview

Virtual Rendering

Update March 2023

Preliminary Noise Analysis: A preliminary noise analysis was conducted to determine the locations and communities within the project area that are considered Noise Sensitive Areas (NSA) based on land use, geography, and traffic volumes. Potential sound barriers will be considered near impacted sites.

July 2022

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to view this online plan display regarding the Partnership 81 project, which extends from Hanover Township to Wilkes-Barre Township in Luzerne County, to evaluate improvements along the 7.5-mile corridor of Interstate 81 (I-81). The project will encompass work between milepost 161.2 north of the Nuangola exit and exit 168, Highland Park Boulevard. The current alignments of I-81 in the northbound and southbound directions split or separate between milepost 164 and 166.5 creating multiple connections with Route 29 and Route 309. The project will improve connections with these roadways, eliminate travel movements that do not meet current criteria, and increase capacity to accommodate future traffic growth. Once the design is set, the project will be advertised as a Public Private Partnership (P3) for the final design, construction, and financing phase of work. This long-term funding approach allows the private sector to assume a share of the risk in terms of financing and construction. There is no mandatory tolling anticipated to be included as part of this project.

PennDOT is currently performing preliminary engineering and gaining environmental clearance to improve I-81 through the project area to meet regional and local traffic needs by providing an improved roadway network that reduces congestion and modernizes the design.

The purpose of the project is to improve I-81 from milepost 161.2 to approximately one mile north of Exit 168 (Highland Park Boulevard) to meet regional traffic and local needs, as well as support the Primary Highway Freight System (PHFS) and interstate travel within the northeastern United States, by providing a transportation facility that reduces congestion, improves highway geometry, and addresses mobility issues.

Environmental

The Partnership 81 Project is currently in the preliminary engineering phase which includes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process. The NEPA process involves the identification of natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources present in the project area and the evaluation of impacts, avoidance measures, and mitigation for those resources. Resources of concern in the Partnership 81 Project study area include threatened and endangered bat species, streams, wetlands, 4(f) resources, State Game Lands, State Forest, above-ground historic resources, parks and recreation areas, hazardous waste sites, residential and commercial structure displacements, and environmental justice populations. The findings of the environmental studies completed are available for public review on this web page.

Recommended Alternative

The recommended alternative includes reconstruction of I-81 between milepost 161.2 and exit 168 (Highland Park Blvd), construction of one additional travel lane in each direction to provide three northbound and three southbound within the project limits. The project will also provide improvements to the interchanges at exit 164 with Route 29 and exit 165 with Route 309, and will realign a portion of I-81 to improve the traffic operations and safety throughout the corridor.  Bridges and other roadway structures will be replaced or repaired, the drainage and storm water management systems will be improved, and sound walls/barriers will be constructed where appropriate to mitigate any increase in noise due to traffic.

The project is currently in the preliminary design phase, and construction is not expected to begin before 2025 subject to all approvals, environmental clearances, and funding availability.

Title VI

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891.

Traffic Control

During construction, traffic could be maintained by several different options that include:

• Two lanes of traffic in each direction along I-81 will be maintained during construction.
• Short term detours and lane closures along the non-interstate roadways within the project area may be necessary during construction.